handmade christmas letters

This post was originally posted at the fabulous Design Dazzle. Thought I’d include a how to over here, as well!Hey guys! I’m over at The awesomely fun Design Dazzle today, sharing a bit of Christmas decor with all of her readers, as a part of her Christmas Wonderful series! Feel free to hop on over, and check it out, along with the rest of the incredible tutorials for the holidays…I think you’ll enjoy perusing over there!

I think this a collection of really fun things that you certainly don’t want to miss!

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So, let’s jump right in, shall we?

If you’re anything like me, you’re probably getting geared up for the season, and looking for some fun {and affordable} decor options.

I was ready for something a little different in the decor department, apart from the usual stuff. As you can see, I needed something in my dining room to take me from summer and fall, and straight into christmas. So, I decided to make a little something for our home. Rather than the traditional wreath, I thought this was a little different, and it was super fun for the kids to help me with, as well.

• Large pieces of cardboard according to what size you plan on doing {you can purchase large cardboard boxes from your local home improvement store}

• Optional: piece of paper with letter printed and already cut, ready to trace and use as your template, OR a transparency with your word printed, and a projector. {You can go larger with the projector option} Side note on projectors: I borrowed mine from my hubby’s workplace. Ask around, because they can be easy to find if you think about it-and are oh so helpful! You can also purchase one online or at your local office supply store, for a little moolah, if you plan to do more projects like hand painted signage, etc. around your home.

To create the letters, I measured the area that I thought would work for a size. I decided on 24″ tall, but you could easily adjust yours for whatever size you need. {Please ignore the stars + the junk on the floor in the back room that I realized was there after the fact. Hurray for real life!}

So here’s where the printed letter as a template, or the overhead projector comes in handy: {You could do either one, and then purchase a wreath according to your size needs.} But I simply chose a font, and a word, and printed them on a transparency. {Score your own free version of Captain Howdy, here. It just looked super festive to me.} I then traced, and using my knife on a safe surface, cut it out. The kids had fun making shadow puppets on the wall while I worked!

Next, was the fun, and/or super terrifyingly messy part {Most of the time, I go with the latter} A drop cloth will most definitely help with the glitter control, or if the weather is mild enough, outside is ideal. But I sprayed the letter with my Super 77. {Please use this in a well ventilated area away from your children…it stinks to high heaven, but I chose to use it because it provides a thin, permanent adhesive, works fast, and I knew I could layer it.} I then sprinkled my glitter on generously. The kids loved this part. Beware of super stinky, sticky fingers.

A side note about this glitter: It was more of a different shape than your typical flat, octogonal glitter shape, so I recommend that for a fun effect in these letters, you go for a funky, vintage-y, versatile glitter. When the first layer was dry, I sprayed super 77 again, for a dense second layer. When those were dry, I went over each one generously, with a top layer of poly. Each letter ended up with two layers of glitter + super 77, and topped off with 2 layers of poly. This keeps shedding under control, and to a minimum. That way, you’re not cursing my name one year later as you’re still trying to suck it from your carpets. ;}

After that, I simply added some hot glue to the back of the cardboard, and joined a thick ribbon to it. I then cheated, with a small, additional dabble behind the actual letter, and directly to the shelf. Test your surface first, but when you’re done, it should pop right off, and keep it from hanging crookedly. This treatment would be perfect for a window, as it peels right off of glass.

For the wreath, I used some old fabric I had from an old project, but this was from fabric.com and is called Premier Prints Annie Blend Eaton Blue Kelp fabric. I simply cut a small beginning strip, and then tore it into strips, for that selvedge edge look. I wrapped it around, securing it with hot glue at the end. Add your embellishments…and tada! You’re ready for one rockin’, not-so-typical christmas.

To hang it all straight, we started with the wreath, and went outward. It helped center the word on the shelving. Again, with a dabble of hot glue at the top.

I had a lot of fun switching up my decor colors this year, and this peacock blue was the perfect springboard for me, in doing that.

Thanks again for having us, Toni! What projects will you be tackling this wonderful holiday season? Let me know if you try this or have any questions! Happy Holidays to everyone!

Okay, you just solved a great problem for me. I bought some beautiful poinsettias yesterday and put them in a planter on my mantle and they look great but there’s a huge space above it that goes all the way up to the ceiling. My husband said I should just slap a wreath in the space and call it done. Then I saw your post and knew that’s what I wanted to do. Thanks, heading over there now to read the full scoop!

Just when it seemed your dining room couldn’t be more adorable! I’d love to know hwere you found the peachy-rusty ornaments. Such beautiful decorating! I obviously have to spend some time in the craft stores!

I can’t tell you how much I love this setup. The letters, the great centerpiece… it’s just fantastic. I pinned it last year and I’ve been waiting all year to use the tutorial! I haven’t gotten to it yet, but I was thinking that it would be perfect to add to our Christmas Linky Party we’re doing right now on inspiring idea– would you want to link up?